Houston's pitching staff added Craig Kimbrel, a veteran reliever who pitched in 57 games with the Orioles last year and one game with the Atlanta Braves this season, when he gave up no runs and one hit in one inning against San Francisco on June 6.

The Houston Astros have signed Craig Kimbrel to a major league contract, and the veteran reliever reported to the team in Baltimore on Friday. The 37-year-old Kimbrel posted a 5.33 ERA with the Orioles last year before being released in September.

Alvarez (hand) has gone 5-for-8 with a walk, three doubles, and a stolen bases through the first two games of his rehab assignment with Double-A Corpus Christi. The 28-year-old returned to game action this week for the first time since landing on the injured list in May,